0002019323

Economic Feasibility Calculator for Advanced Sludge Management

PROJECT BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES

The World Bank Group (“WBG”) is exploring advanced sludge management solutions (ASM), with a special interest in Thermal Hydrolysis Process (THP). To support client decision-making, the organization requires a robust and user-friendly Excel-based economic model that can evaluate the financial feasibility of implementing these technologies given various scenarios.

 

We have created a basic excel model that calculates financial feasibility. However, we require 1) develop a more robust set of input data, 2) validate the hypotheses and approach used in the initial model and 3) optimize the current model to be able to use it for project development with an acceptable level of accuracy and representativity.

 

 

SCOPE OF WORK

The consulting firm will be required to undertake the following tasks:

1.     Qualitative Assessment: Identify and describe the key project characteristics and enabling conditions under which ASM and THP is likely to be economically viable. Similarly identify context in which THP and ASM are NOT viable. This should include, but not be limited to:

• Population served
• Wastewater flow rates
• Organic load
• Sludge concentration and composition
• Volatile solids content
• Existing treatment infrastructure
• Regulatory drivers (e.g., biosolids quality standards, energy recovery incentives)
• Minimum scale (tonnes of total solids per day) at which technologies become economically viable

 

2.     Data Collection: Collect granular CAPEX and OPEX data for ASM and THP installations across different geographies and plant sizes. Collect granular data on potential biogas or electricity/heat generated by methane capture.

• Civil works
• Mechanical and electrical equipment
• ASM and THP-specific components (pressure vessels, pumps, heat exchangers, steam generation systems, etc)
• Installation and commissioning costs
• Operating costs (energy, chemicals, labor, maintenance, consumables)

• Create a view of where future costs are going
• Biogas and electricity/heat generated from methane captured
• Develop a benchmark study of ASM and THP depending on the implementation context

 

3.     Cost Curve Development: Develop cost curves for different plant components showing $/m³/day CAPEX and OPEX for different plant capacities. Include scaling factors and economies of scale.

 

4.     Case Studies: Identify and document case studies of successful ASM and THP implementations. For each case study, provide:

• Plant description (location, capacity, influent characteristics, sludge production)
• Technology configuration (including digester type, THP supplier, energy recovery systems)
• Reasons for success (technical, economic, regulatory, operational)
• Lessons learned and applicability to other contexts.

 

5.     Model Integration and Integrity: Integrate all collected data and findings into the Excel-based economic viability model. Ensure the model can:

• Compare ASM and THP options under different scenarios.
• Incorporate qualitative suitability factors alongside quantitative cost-benefit analysis.
• Perform sensitivity analysis on key parameters (e.g., energy prices, sludge volumes, CAPEX/OPEX variations)
• Testing

 

6.     Training: Conduct a training session for relevant staff to ensure internal capacity for model use and maintenance

 

SELECTION OF CONSULTING FIRMS BY THE WORLD BANK GROUP

REQUEST FOR EXPRESSION OF INTEREST (EOI)

Electronic Submissions through WBGeProcure RFx Now

ASSIGNMENT OVERVIEW

Assignment Title: Economic Feasibility Calculator for Advanced Sludge Management

Assignment Countries:

- Not Country Related

ASSIGNMENT DESCRIPTION

PROJECT BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES

The World Bank Group (“WBG”) is exploring advanced sludge management solutions (ASM), with a special interest in Thermal Hydrolysis Process (THP). To support client decision-making, the organization requires a robust and user-friendlyExcel-based economic modelthat can evaluate the financial feasibility of implementing these technologies given various scenarios.

We have created a basic excel model that calculates financial feasibility. However, we require 1) develop a more robust set of input data, 2) validate the hypotheses and approach used in the initial model and 3) optimize the current model to be able to use it for project development with an acceptable level of accuracy and representativity.

SCOPE OF WORK

The consulting firm will be required to undertake the following tasks:

1. Qualitative Assessment: Identify and describe thekey project characteristics and enabling conditionsunder which ASM and THP is likely to be economically viable. Similarly identify context in which THP and ASM are NOT viable. This should include, but not be limited to:

• Population served
• Wastewater flow rates
• Organic load
• Sludge concentration and composition
• Volatile solids content
• Existing treatment infrastructure
• Regulatory drivers (e.g., biosolids quality standards, energy recovery incentives)
• Minimum scale (tonnes of total solids per day) at which technologies become economically viable

2. Data Collection: Collectgranular CAPEX and OPEX datafor ASM and THP installations across different geographies and plant sizes. Collect granular data on potential biogas or electricity/heat generated by methane capture.

• Civil works
• Mechanical and electrical equipment
• ASM and THP-specific components (pressure vessels, pumps, heat exchangers, steam generation systems, etc)
• Installation and commissioning costs
• Operating costs (energy, chemicals, labor, maintenance, consumables)

• Create a view of where future costs are going
• Biogas and electricity/heat generated from methane captured
• Develop a benchmark study of ASM and THP depending on the implementation context

3. Cost Curve Development: Developcost curvesfor different plant components showing $/m³/day CAPEX and OPEX for different plant capacities. Include scaling factors and economies of scale.

4. Case Studies: Identify and documentcase studiesof successful ASM and THP implementations. For each case study, provide:

• Plant description (location, capacity, influent characteristics, sludge production)
• Technology configuration (including digester type, THP supplier, energy recovery systems)
• Reasons for success (technical, economic, regulatory, operational)
• Lessons learned and applicability to other contexts.

5. Model Integration and Integrity: Integrate all collected data and findings into the Excel-based economic viability model. Ensure the model can:

• Compare ASM and THP options under different scenarios.
• Incorporate qualitative suitability factors alongside quantitative cost-benefit analysis.
• Perform sensitivity analysis on key parameters (e.g., energy prices, sludge volumes, CAPEX/OPEX variations)
• Testing

6. Training: Conduct atraining sessionfor relevant staff to ensure internal capacity for model use and maintenance

FUNDING SOURCE

The World Bank Group intends to finance the assignment / services described below under the following:

• BB: Bank Budget

ELIGIBILITY

Eligibility restrictions apply:

• [Please type list of restrictions]

SUBMISSION REQUIREMENTS

The World Bank Group invites eligible firms to indicate their interest in providing the services. Interested firms must provide information indicating that they are qualified to perform the services (brochures, description of similar assignments, experience in similar conditions, availability of appropriate skills among staff, etc. for firms; CV and cover letter for individuals). Please note that the total size of all attachments should be less than 5MB. Firms may associate to enhance their qualifications unless otherwise stated in the solicitation documents. Where a group of firms associate to submit an EOI, they must indicate which is the lead firm. If shortlisted, the firm identified in the EOI as the lead firm will be invited to the request for proposal (RFP) phase.

Expressions of Interest should be submitted, in English, electronically through WBGeProcure RFx Now

NOTES

Following this invitation for EOI, a shortlist of qualified firms will be formally invited to submit proposals. Shortlisting and selection will be subject to the availability of funding.

Only those firms which have been shortlisted will be invited to participate in the RFP phase. No notification or debrief will be provided to firms which have not been shortlisted.

If you encounter technical difficulties while uploading documents, please send an e-mail to the Help Desk at corporateprocurement@worldbank.org prior to the submission deadline.